Process for fixation of nitrates



C. H. BUETTNER.

PROCESS FOR FIXATION OF NITRATES.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 6. 1919.

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C. H. BUETTNER.

PROCESS FOR FIXATION 0F NITRATES.

APPLICATION mie MAR. e, 1919.

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CHARLES H. BUETTNER, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

:PROCESS FOR FIXATION OF NITRATES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 8, 1921.

Application led March 6, 1919. Serial No. 281,056.

To all 'whom t may concern Be it known that I, CHARLES H. BUETT- NER, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Cincinnati, county of 'Hamiltom and State of Ohio, have invented a certain new and useful Processfor Fixation of Nitrates, of which .the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

rI`he present invention relates to a process for the fixation of nitrates.

The principal object of my invention is to provide a simple commercial process for the fixation of nitrates.

A further object of this invention is to provide a process for obtaining nitrates having a higher percentage of pure nitrogen than has heretofore been possible, and being therefore comparatively free from impurities.

With this and other objects in View, as will more fully appear from tlie following detailed description thereof, my new process consists in the several details and operations hereinafter fully described and exemplified in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings.:-

Figure 1 illustrates, in part diagrammatically, the device employed in a preferred mode of applying the present invention.

Fig. 2 illustrates a modified application of my new process.

In the application of the process as illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings, the numeral 1 indicates the middle section of a vessel or column, said section being constructed of an electrically conductive material, as for instance, metal. The section 1 may be either rectangular, cylindrical, or of any desired shape, and it is open at both ends. Each of the ends is provided with a groove arranged to serve as a seat for an end section 2, the same being constructed preferably of some electrically non-conductive material such as glass or porcelain. The end sections 2 are secured and held in the grooves of column 1 by any suitable sealing and packing substance 3, so as to render the joints air-tight.

The section 1 of the column is provided with a plurality of electrodes 4, in any desired relative arrangement, it being preferable, however. that same be arranged at different elevations in the column. The electrodes 4. are directed toward a central vertical rod 5, supported in the lower end sec-- tion 2 by means of a rod 6. The rods 5 and 6 are electrically conductive, and the rod 6 isl inserted through a plug 7 in the bottom ofthe section 2, by means of which plug the Joint is sealed. A tube 8 is inserted in the upper end section 2 of the column and extends downward into a cupped depression 9 in the upper end of the rod 5. The joint between the tube and section 2, is sealed by means of a plug 10 or other suitable means. The 'tube 8 is connected by means of a hose or pipe 11, to a tank or other source of water supply 12.

Either one or more lof the electrodes 4, contains a passage-way 13 communicating with the interior of the column, and through a pipe 14, with the tank 15, containing a supply of pure nitrogen and oxygen gases under pressure, in the approximate proportion of four parts of nitrogen to one of oxygen. In the illustrated embodiment of the process, I have shown two of the electrodes 4 so connected with the tank 15. Valves 16 control the supply of gases through the pipes 14.

The column section 1 is connected by means of a wire 17 to a vibrator 18, the latter receiving current through a transformer 19 from a generator or other source of current 20. The other pole of the vibrator is connected by means of a wire 20 with rod 6. As will be obvious, the current passin through the electrodes 4 to the rod 5 wil produce a series of arcs between the electrodes and the rod.

The lower end section of the column is provided with an outlet 21, .which drains through a pipe 22 into an evaporation tank 23.

With the mechanism above described, the process is carried out in the following manner. The column is supplied with gas from the tank 15. The water from the tank 12 or other source of supply, is provided with a certain percentage of lime, if calcium nitrates are to be produced, the percentage being varied at pleasure, and the water so treated iiows through a tube into the cupped depression 9 in the upper end of the rod 5, whence it overflows in a film downwardly along the rod 5, into the bottom of the column. During its passage through the gases, the water is subjected to the action of the electric arcs playing between electrodes 4 and rod 5, which cause a deposit of nitrates in solution therein, and as this action is repeated continuously during the flow of the water downwardly along the rod, the same absorbs a high percentage of the salts, in the present instance, being calcium nitrates. Through the bottom of the column the liquid is drained into the evaporation tank 23 where the water is evaporated, leaving a deposit of nitrates in the tank.

Various modifications of the means for applying the principle of the present process will readily occur to those skilled in the art, the central and fundamental phase of the present invention comprising the subjectionl of a film or minute particles of water during contact with nitrogen gas to the action of an electric arc or arcs. In Fig. 2 of the drawings I have illustrated one such modification.

In Fig. 2 the numerals 24, 25, 26 and 27 illustrate a series of jars arranged so that each successive jar is disposed on a lower plane than the preceding jar. Each of the jars comprises an upper portion 28 and a lower portion 29, the latter extending upwardly into the portion 28, so as to leave an overflow channel 30 between the two parts. The jars are preferably set in concrete supports 31. Disposed on a higher plane than the jar 24, is a tank 32 arranged to be supplied with fresh water from a pipe, 33, having a valve 34. The tank 32 feeds by means of a pipe 35 into the bottom of the jar 24.

The numerals 36 and 37 indicate tanks arranged to be supplied in any suitable manner with the required gases, the tank 36, for example, may be supplied with pure nitrogen and the tank 37 with pure oxygen. The tanks 36 and 37 feed by means of pipes 38 and 39, controlled by valves 40 and 41, into the bottom of the jar 24 at the rate of approximately one part of oxygen to four parts of nitrogemthrough a pipe 42. The pipe 42 extends upwardly into the jar terminating slightly below the upper rim of the wall of the lower portion 6 thereof, and thus slightly below the surface of the water therein, and the terminal thereof forms an electrode 43. The mouth of the jar is sealed and an electnode 4 4 introduced through the seal terminating slightly above the surface of the water in the jar as shown. The electrodes 43 and 44 are connected as shown by wires 45 and 45a through a vibrator 46 and transformer 47 with any available source of electric current.

The channel 30 of the jar 24 is connected.

Each of the jars is pro-v drain into a tank 54, a valve 55 in the evaporation tank line and valve 56 in the line oi.' tank 54 controlling such disposition. From the tank 54, the li uid may be returned by means of a pump 5 to the tank 32.

The operation of the above method of applying the process is as follows Water is supplied to the jar 24 from the tank 32. Gases from the tanks 36 and 47 are supplied to the jar 24, the flow being regulated by valves 40 and 41 to the approximate proportions mentioned. The gases bubble upwardly through the water in the jar, while simultaneously the electric arcs play between electrodes 43 and 44 in the jars; the electrical action of the spark upon the spray and gases, as the latter bubble upwardly between the electrodes, combines the gases and results in a deposit of salts in solutlon in the water. From the jar 24, the water together the evaporation tank 53 where the water is evaporated leaving only the desired salts. Should it prove desirable, however, to continue the process and further enrich the salt deposits in the water the same may be returned through the tank 54 to the original supply tank 32, after which it again proceeds through the series of jars and absorbs the salt deposits of newly provided gases from the. tanks 36 and 37.

Having thus fully described my invention what I claim is new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is;

From the l. The process for the fixation of nitrates consisting 1n bringing nitrogen and oxygen gases into contact with water in small quantities and subjecting them to the action of an electric arc.

2. The process for the fixation of nitrateskk consisting in bringing nitrogen and oxygen gases into contact with Water continuously and nitrogen and oxygen gasesito a sealed supplied in small quantities and subjecting vessel, next subjecting gases and Water in them to the action of an electric arc, and the small quantities to the action of an electric 10 subsequent evaporation of the Water Jfrom arc, then draining the Water from the Vessel the salts deposited therein by such action. and finally evaporating the Water from the 3. The process for the fixation of nitrates salts deposited therein. consisting in continuously supplying water l CHARLES H. BUETTNER. 

